fORTlA’s TRAVELS IN SWEDEN.

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a matter already effected. It has been faid that the predominant party in France, ap -prehenfive with juft reafon of the influence of Guftavus, contributed to his death:this is poffible; and this Prince was fo firmly perfuaded of its being the fact that, uponhis receiving the blow, he exclaimed, it is a Frenchman. It is believed that the mur-derer, after making his efcape from the ifle of Gothland, to which he had been banii'h-ed, (for treafon in Finland during the war with Ruflia,) travelled to Paris : this we donot affirm, but ffiould it have happened there can be little doubt of this monfter havingbeen inftigated to the deed by thofe who had the meannefs, the impudence to placethe bull of a regicide in their hall of audience

On the night of the 16th March 1792 the King, according to cuftom, was at themalked ball at the opera j while walking he felt himfelf flrot in the fide : he did notfall, but had ftrength enough, by leaning on a perfon near him, to reach his apartmentadjoining the theatre. This frightful event became immediately public: Baron Arm-feldt arrived in a condition difficult to defcribe; and as his confirmation was at itsheight, the King comforted him by obferving, “ do not be alarmed, my friend, it is only a’wound, you have been woundedyourfelf and know what it is. In the mean time the mur-derer, favoured by his accomplices, efcaped, and two days expired before he was dif*covered : the piftol he had ufed, being found on the ground, was inftrumental to hisdeteftion ; upon its being lhewn to the gunfmith he pointed out the purchafeiv

Surgeons were fent for from all quarters. The King immediately directed them togive their opinion, adding that, ffiould he have but a few hours to live, he was defirousof employing them in his affairs and thofe of the State ; and confequently that it wouldbe but loft time to probe and drefs the wound. After the furgeons had examined it theydeclared as their opinion that it was not mortal: His Majefty thereupon confented tohave it dreffed, and was carried to the caftle.

The next day Countefs Ferfen, Count Brahdf, and Baron Geer, all of whomhad for a long time abfented themfelves from court, came to vifit: His Majefty, who re-ceived them with great kindnefs, and exprefled the pleafure their vifit afforded him inthefe memorable words : my wound is of fame utility 1 find, fince it brings me back myfriends. What remorfe muft not a fimilar phrafe occafion in thofe who had turned theil*backs on fuch a fovereign!

The remaining twelve days of the life of the King were employed in the affairs ofState ; his indefatigable aftivity was ftill the fame, and every interval between his painswas put to profit. His laft aft of fovereignty was to appoint his friend General Arm-felt Governor of Stockholm , an appointment which the Regent did not fuffer him longto enjoy, as he afted upon the fyftem of keeping in the back ground the greater part ofthofe attached to his brother.

The King defined to be kept ignorant of the names of his affaffins ; the murderer’s

* This fociety (the jacobin) fo fearfully famous, wiflied. by the'honours paid to the villain dnkcrjt’rceum,to perfuade the world that it contributed to his chime ; not indeed becaufe it fancied the addon laudable,hut becaufe it was dciirous of a new kind of glory worthy only of itfelf; that of difpofing at will of thelives of fovereigns. They are well aware, are its members, that people of fenfe are far from giving themcredit for fuch authority ; but fools, that is to fay the mob, are fure of it, and this is ail that is wanted bya horde of plunderers who govern but by terror, How much mull they’ not be furprized that their reignhas been fo long.

•j-We were of the company when Count Brahe and his lady flipped with the Duchefs of Sudermania : wedo not now recolledt upon what occalion, but vve mentioned the circumftance to His Majeliy fome fewdays after: this for example you muft look upon as fomewhat indecent, was His Majefty’s obfervation. Wcnnilt allow His Majefty’s remark was juft indeed.

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VOL. VI.

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